A sad day for Bulgarian speleology

Явор Шопов

On 11.11.2022, on the way to the National Forum of Speleology (Dryanovo November 11-13), of which he was the main organizer, in a car accident, we lost the speleologist, scientist, researcher and friend Associate Professor Dr. Yavor Shopov (1962 – 2022).

Yavor was active caver since 1980, when he finished caving course in “Iskar” Speleo club, Sofia, Bulgaria. Then he was active member of the club from 1981 to 1988. Yavor founded and led the University Section of Speleology at Sofia University St. “Kliment Ohridski”. He was an organizer and speaker at numerous international and national scientific forums on speleology, author of valuable scientific publications.

Some of his many achievements and responsibilities during the years included:

  • Chairman of the Bulgarian Federation of Speleology from 2017 to 2022,
  • President of the Commission on Physical Chemistry and Hydrogeology of Karst of the International Union of Speleology since 1993,
  • Head of University Centre for Space Research and Technologies of Sofia University, Bulgaria,
  • He had a Ph.D. in astrophysics and stellar physics. His main fields of research were related to applied and fundamental research in space science and solar-terrestrial physics, design and development of optical and spectral equipment for photographic observations and photometry in different regions of the spectrum for a payload of satellites, UAV’s or ROV’s,
  • He works on development of effective techniques and equipment for remote location of caves on the Moon and Mars for their human exploration and potential inhabiting,
  • He was the leader of the International Program on “Remote Location of Caves” (RCL) of International Union of Speleology (UIS),
  • In 2012 National Geographic Channel made a documentary movie about some of his scientific research,
  • He was a Bulgarian representative in the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Expert Group of the European Commission.

We have lost an ever-seeking mind that saw the world through the eyes of a knowledgeable researcher.

Sincerely grieving!

Bulgarian Federation of Speleology

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